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Sport: BasketballCountry: GlobalCategory: Transactions

Former NBA players to enter 2027 WNBA draft amid eligibility debate

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 25, 2026, 5:15 PM

Last updated Aug 25, 2026

Former NBA players to enter 2027 WNBA draft amid eligibility debate
Summary

Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White announced plans to enter the 2027 WNBA draft. Currently, WNBA rules allow only women to compete, though the term 'women' is not clearly defined. Kanter Freedom claims support from other male players interested in this pathway, raising questions about the league's eligibility criteria. The situation parallels eligibility challenges faced in other women's sports, which have adopted various approaches to define participation while navigating controversies around transgender athletes.

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Key Details
  • •Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White plan to enter the 2027 WNBA draft.
  • •Current WNBA rules define eligibility only for women, lacking clear definitions.
  • •Kanter Freedom claims interest from eight other male players.
  • •Eligibility challenges have been seen in tennis, golf, and soccer.
  • •No openly transgender woman has competed in the WNBA.
Latest Updates
  • 5:15 PMYahoo Sports — Male Players Are Testing The WNBA’s Eligibility Rules. Here’s How Other Women’s Sports Decide Who Can Play
What they're saying
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Two former NBA players claim they will enter the 2027 WNBA draft. The WNBA’s rules state that only women are eligible to play in the league, but “women” isn't defined.

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